Port Dalhousie abandoned canal locks

In the long history of the Welland Canal the route has shifted several times leaving abandoned locks and mechanical features which you can see in Port Dalhousie - once the terminal point for the canal as it connected to Lake Ontario. The 3rd canal, lock 2 is pictured at top. Port Dalhousie was the terminal point of the Welland Canal from 1829 with the 1st canal, continuing with the second (1846) and third canals (from 1887 till the new and current canal was opened in 1932). I like to go through Port Dalhousie as I head into the Niagara Region and it's wineries and easy route to Niagara Falls staying off the QEW highway as much as possible.

Rankin Condo

Development and rehabilitation is afoot along the old canal route in the town that has been incorporated into the town of St. Catherines. Several condos are planned for the downtown area including the Rankin Condo and the upcoming Harbour Club along the banks of Twelve Mile Creek. The old lock 1 of the second Welland Canal route has been incorporated into an outdoor stage and parkette besides the Rankin Condo.

Harbour Club in the old Dominion Rubber Company building

Canal 2, lock 1 new stage and parkette

We parked along Lake Ontario at Lakeside Park, home of the famous nickel-a-ride carousel, and walked to Rennie Park which has paths and a long pedestrian bridge that connects to Royal Henley Park across the Martindale Pond.

Pedestrian bridge to Royal Henley Park

Old tie down points for ships along lock 2 remain in the park

Canal 3, lock 2 ends in Royal Henley Park

Canal 3, lock 2 looking into Royal Henley Park

As you walk the paths you can see features of the old canals in the water, some where only birds now perch, until you come close to Royal Henley where you can see lock 2 from the 3rd canal route. The lock has been incorporated into the Royal Henley Park where the balance of locks and canal walls have been buried and developed from the park to where it would intercept the current canal adjacent to lock 3 (home of the St. Catherines Museum and Welland Canal Centre). You can follow the canals on this Google Maps geographic guide.

See more of Port Dalhousie's water features after the jump.

Rowing seems to be a big sport in Port Dalhousie, based out of Henley Island. Here is an outdoor viewing structure for the St. Catherines Rowing Club

Some of water based structures for the rowing club

Remnants of the canal's towing path

Canal 3, lock 1. The gate is falling to pieces

The old lock 1 metal hinge for the gate

Fishing is a big past time for many in the area

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